Election realignment could save taxpayers $6.4 million

BATON ROUGE -- A constitutional proposition that would change Louisiana's statewide elections to coincide with presidential elections is making its way through the state Legislature.

The proposition, House Bill 80 by Rep. Peppi Bruneau, R-New Orleans, had broad support in the House, despite some misgivings that it would extend incumbents' terms by one year.

The pluses of the bill, Bruneau said, are that it would save taxpayers a net of $6.4 million and that voter participation would be higher in presidential races.

Over the past few elections, the turnout for the governor's race -- which includes races for the Legislature, other statewide posts, and such local officials as sheriffs, assessors, clerks of court and constables -- have averaged 70 percent. For presidential races, the turnout has run about 55 percent, Bruneau said.

Combining the two would mean higher turnout in presidential elections, when there are also congressional races and usually a U.S. Senate race.

"The more people who vote, the better representation you get," Bruneau said.

Louisiana is one of six states that do not hold the governor's race to coincide with the presidential race. The others are Alabama, Maryland, Mississippi, New Jersey and Virginia.

The downside, Bruneau said, is that incumbents now in office would have their terms extended by one year: instead of running in 2007, they would run in the 2008 presidential race.

But all this would require the approval of voters, as the bill puts a constitutional proposition on the 2006 congressional election ballot.

"Why not let the people decide?" Bruneau said.

The cost of holding an off-year gubernatorial and statewide election is $8 million. The additional costs of putting the 996 state posts on a presidential election ballot would be about $1.6 million. Therefore, the net savings to taxpayers would be $6.4 million.

"This saves tremendous money," said House Speaker Joe Salter, D-Florien, who joined in supporting Bruneau's proposition. "This will not circumvent the term limits that voters approved."

The most cost efficient method of making the change is to extend state officials' terms by one year. Changing the system after the 2007 state elections, would force all state officials to run again one year later. Wait until 2012, and all the state officials elected in 2007 would be in office for five-year terms instead of four.

"This puts us in line with other states," Rep. Willie Hunter, D-Monroe, said. "It may extend the term for one year, but it's for the greater good."

Rep. Arthur Morrell, D-New Orleans, a candidate for the U. S. Senate last year, said people are tired of having elections three out of every four years. "We have an election every time we turn around," he said.

While the Council for A Better Louisiana has not taken an official position, CABL President Barry Erwin said he's a little wary of the change.

"I'm not sure it's really a good idea," Erwin said.

"I think there is value in having state elections at a time when voters can focus on state issues and not get all lost in the noise and clutter of national campaigns."

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Election realignment could save taxpayers $6.4 million

A constitutional proposition that would change Louisiana's statewide elections to coincide with presidential elections is making its way through the State Legislature.